<h2>Name</h2>
<p>
The Surah has been so designated after the word <em>al-qadr</em> in the very
first verse.
</p>
<h2>Period of Revelation</h2>
<p>
Whether it is a Makki or a Madani revelation is disputed. Abu Hayyan
in <em>Al-Bahr al-Muhti</em> has made the claim that the majority of scholars
regard it as a Madani Surah. Ali bin Ahmad al-Wahidi in his commentary
says that this is the first Surah to be sent down in Madinah. Contrary
to this, Al Mawardi says that according to the majority of scholars it
is a Makki revelation, and the same view has Imam Suyuti expressed in
<em>Al-Itqan</em>. Ibn Mardayah has cited Ibn Abbas, lbn Az Zubair and Hadrat
Aishah as saying that this Surah was revealed at Makkah. A study of the
contents also shows that it should have been revealed at Makkah as we
shall explain below.
</p>
<h2>Theme and Subject Matter</h2>
<p>
Its theme is to acquaint man with the value, worth and importance of
the Quran. Its being placed just after Surah Al-Alaq in the arrangement
of the Quran by itself explains that the Holy Book, the revelation of
which began with the first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq. was sent down
in a destiny making night. It is a glorious Book and its revelation
for mankind is full of blessings. 
</p>
<p>
At the outset, Allah says: "We have
sent it down." That is, it is not a composition of Muhammad (upon whom
be Allah's peace and blessing) himself, but We Ourself have revealed
it. 
</p>
<p>
Then, it is said that "We sent it down in the Night of Destiny."
Night of Destiny lies two meanings and both are implied here. First,
that it is the night during which destinies are decided; or, in other
words, it is not an ordinary night like the other nights, but a night
in which destinies are made or marred. The revelation of this Book in
this night is not merely the revelation of a book but an event which
will change the destiny of not only the Quraish, or of Arabia, but of,
the entire world. The same thing has been said in Surah Ad-Dukhan for
which please see Introduction to that Surah and E. N. 3 thereof. The
other meaning is that this is, a night of unique honor, dignity and
glory; so much so that it is better than a thousand months. Thus, the
disbelievers of Makkah have been warned, as if to say: "You on account
of your ignorance regard this Book, which Muhammad (upon whom be
Allah's peace and blessings) has presented, as a calamity for
yourselves and complain that a disaster has befallen you, whereas the
night in which it was decreed to be sent down was such a blessed night
that a task was accomplished in it for the well being of mankind,
which had never been accomplished even during a thousand months of
history. This also has been said in verse 3 of Ad-Dukhan in another way,
which we have explained in the introduction to that Surah. 
</p>
<p>
In
conclusion, it has been stated that in this night the angels and
Gabriel descend with every decree (which in verse 4 of Surah Ad-
Dukhan has been described as arm-hakim: wise decree) by the leave of
their Lord, and it is all peace from evening till morning; that is,
there is no interference of evil in it, for all decrees of Allah are
intended to promote good and not evil. So much so that even if a
decision to destroy a nation is taken, it is taken for the sake of
ultimate good, not evil.
</p>

